Snakes, bees and wasps

Snakes

In the warmer weather snakes may be found in public areas around Hobsons Bay, including in some parks and reserves. If a snake in a reserve is not causing you any concern, leave it alone as in most cases it is in its natural habitat. If a snake is of concern to you, please call Council on 9932 1000.

First aid

if you are bitten by a snake remain calm and stay as still as possible

call Triple 000 or have someone do it for you

wrap a pressure bandage around the site of the wound (usually on a limb) until the bandage is finished. It must be from fingers or toes to shoulder or hip. If you run out of bandage, get another one and continue until you reach the end of the limb

if you do not have a bandage, apply continuous direct pressure to the wound site

Bees and wasps

Bees swarm in spring when the temperature rises. They often form football size hives in trees and shrubs. Occasionally, they land on fences, letterboxes and have even been known to cover parked cars.

While often confronting when they pass overhead, if left alone they pose little threat to the community and generally move on with a change in the weather.

Council officers are available to check hives, particularly if they are located in shopping centres, child care centres or in high pedestrian areas.

Council can provide the following services for dealing with snakes, bees and wasps:

Council can assist with snakes whether on public or private land. If a snake is on your property, in a reserve or on the roadside and is causing a concern to you, please contact 9932 1000

Council will remove bee hives and wasp nests on reserves and roadsides if there is a risk to community safety – please call 9932 1000

Residents and landowners are responsible for dealing with bee hives or wasp nests on their own properties. Please contact a pest controller of your choice to take care of any problems with wasp nests. Alternatively for bees engage the services of a licensed apiarist registered with the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. A helpline (honey bee swarm removal hotline) is operated by the Victorian Apiarists' Association. Information can be obtained by calling 5446 1455.